Are You Retaining Water? What To Do About Edema…

Water retention, edema, bloating.  Uncomfortable health challenges that much too many people suffer with.  But what exactly constitutes water retention?  When one has too much fluid that has accumulated in body cavities and tissues, we must understand this is the body’s cry for help from a problem of imbalances and not enough water.  If we do not feed the body enough water, it tries to compensate by retaining fluid causing these levels to go out of balance.

What are some other health issues related to water retention/edema? Liver problems, kidney problems, circulation, blood pressure, pre-menstrual issues, and pregnancy problems.  All these are associated.

How do you know if your symptoms are caused from retaining water?  If you have and feel swollen ankles, feet and hands, and your belly feels as if it is bulging (also caused from wearing tight clothing) then you could be retaining water. If you see a significant shift in the way your clothing fits one day, then very tight and fitted the next, head feels heavy and achy, then your bloating is probably hormone induced also related to menopausal changes or PMS (most definitely if suffering from estrogen dominance).  Constipation, lack of exercise, allergy symptoms, and even weather and climate changes can have an impact on water retention.

So what are the causes of holding on to so much fluid?  Serious dieting and weight control can cause one to remove foods from the diet that provided the body with natural water.  Diet imbalances are direct causes if they are ones that include red meat, too much salty food, MSG, not enough B complex vitamins, potassium, and most definitely water retention will occur is  you have a diet with not enough protein.  You could also be suffering with dehydration.  Pharmaceutical diuretics, birth control pills, alcohol, and steroidal drugs all cause dehydration.

If you are suffering with chronic edema, consider circulatory problems (such as spider veins and varicose veins), kidney, bladder and liver challenges.  Natural herbal therapies are known to balance metabolism and body chemistry to correct the challenge rather than just helping the body to release fluids.

If your water retention stems from Kidney/Bladder challenges then consider there is an emotion root cause.  Kidney issues also stem from harboring specific negative emotions. The two main emotions that affect the Kidneys are:

• Fear (TCM – Traditional Chinese Medicine)

• Unresolved Forgiveness (Holistic Medicine)

Understand please, Family and Friends, that holding on to and harboring these emotions of Fear and Unresolved Forgiveness is to surely weaken the kidneys and eventually one will begin to experience physical signs of kidney problems.  If you know you are holding on to these very emotions, the good news is, strengthening and balancing the kidneys helps you in turn feel strong enough to let go of these emotions.

12 Physical signs of Kidney problems:

• lines under the eyes
• purple, deep, dark circles under the eyes
• puffy eyes
• fluid retention
• constant lower back pain
• frequent, painful urination
• weak bones (TCM)
• fatigue specifically between 3pm and 7pm
• fevers, chills, trembling
• high blood pressure
• a dull constant ache in the lower back may indicate kidney stones
• ear problems, hearing loss, chronic ear infections (in adults and children)

A diet that is mainly vegetarian, low in starch and high in plant based-protein is best to prevent water retention. Dark green vegetables and fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruits are foods that alkaline the body and help as well.

Eliminate the following: fried foods, salty and sugary foods, caffeine foods, and carbonated beverages which impede the kidney from filtering waste. Avoid dairy foods, starches, fats and heavy grains since these cause clogging and mucous.

Use the following combined for flushing support, to normalize and balance the whole body and the most vital organs from a Chinese medicine perspective, and increase kidney activity:

• CHINESE NEGATIVE PACK TCM

• URINARY SYSTEM PACK

 

Now Heal ~

#NowHeal

🌎El cuerpo sabe sanarse solo. Solo debemos de recordarnos de dejar de interferir con la naturaleza, dándole lo que quizás le haga falta; agua, hierbas, raíces, una dieta saludable con bastante frutas y vegetales, ejercicio, oración, meditación, para ayudarlo restaurar balance. ~Dra. Julissa

I Love This Herb For Women And Men

Ah, yes… Damiana. 

Damiana herb was first introduced in the USA in 1874, and has a long history of use in the folk medicine.  Scientifically called ‘Turnera diffusa, T. aphrodisiaca’, Damiana is known world-wide as a tonic that lifts one’s mood, enhances vitality, and is known to have aphrodisiac qualities that stimulate libido, for sexual health in general, and for increasing sex drive and sexual desire in Women and Men, including supporting sexual performance and sexual energy.

The part used is the leaf.  It is also known as a diuretic, for its hypoglycemic properties, its antibacterial properties; is widely used as a nerve tonic as it helps with nervous exhaustion so one can cope with stresses better; a mild natural antidepressant for mild depression.

Ancient Mayas and Aztecs used Damiana as a general tonic to improve health condition. When used on a regular basis, Damiana will help to improve mental stamina and mood. As a sexual tonic, it is a gentle acting remedy that can be taken safely always to enhance libido because it supports the glandular system.

It is interesting to note, however, that boosting sexual desire is not the only property of Damiana.  Native tribes also are known to use it to treat constipation and digestive problems, as well as gastric ulcers, menstrual irregularities, and bed-wetting in children and adults.  Damiana is a precious medicinal plant that I truly love, believe all can benefit from, and recommend for All. 

I recommend it in a single herb formula, or have made sure it is a key ingredient in certain herbal formulas I recommend to patients and clients. ~

Click the link below to obtain this and for more information:

DAMIANA

12 Physical Signs Of Kidney Problems

1. 

Everyone knows Kidney health is not to be ignored. And everyone says that kidney challenges are painful and serious. Even kidney stones are known to be so painful it has been described by those suffering from them that the pain feels worse than giving birth and worse than a heart attack!

Kidney challenges also stem from harboring specific negative emotions. The two main emotions that affect the Kidneys are:

• Fear (TCM – Traditional Chinese Medicine)
• Unresolved Forgiveness (Holistic Medicine)

Understand please, Family and Friends, that holding on to and harboring these emotions of Fear and Unresolved Forgiveness is to surely weaken the kidneys and eventually one will begin to experience physical signs of kidney problems.  If you know you are holding on to these very emotions, the good news is, strengthening and balancing the kidneys helps you in turn feel strong enough to let go of these emotions.

12 Physical signs of Kidney problems:

• lines under the eyes
• purple, deep, dark circles under the eyes
• puffy eyes
• fluid retention
• constant lower back pain
• frequent, painful urination
• weak bones (TCM)
• fatigue specifically between 3pm and 7pm
• fevers, chills, trembling
• high blood pressure
• a dull constant ache in the lower back may indicate kidney stones
• ear problems, hearing loss, chronic ear infections (in adults and children)

Another sign that the kidneys are in a weakened state is, yes Ladies and Gentlemen, premature aging!  In another article I’ve written on this blog, ‘Longevity, Youth & Health’, I wrote the following in reference to kidney health:

{Immune deficiency, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is associated with the condition of the Kidneys. The kidneys are known as “the clock of the body”. History points to many Chinese scholars and physicians who achieved longevity by eating kidney traditional Chinese herbs and tonics. In My Teaching to Posterity, a literary classic by a Chinese scholar named Yan Zhi-Tui in the 6th century, he said, “I have been in the habit of eating kidney tonics throughout my life, which is why I could still read fine print when 70 years old with no gray hair on my head.”.  Even two Chinese emperors were famous for their longevity due to their firm beliefs in Traditional Chinese Medicine and to their regular practice of taking kidney tonics. ; Emperor Jia-Jing and Emperor Qian-Long.}

So if you’re dealing with too many wrinkles for your age, if your hair is graying too quickly, if your appearance is that of one in which you ‘look’ older than you truly are, then stop spending large sums of money on wrinkle creams and hair dyes. The kidneys should be your focus for a long, youthful, healthy life.  In these organs lies the true fountain of youth…

So what are people doing that causes kidney disease and/or kidney stones?

First, kidney function becomes impaired, especially in elderly people, who chronically use NSAIDs drugs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), pain relievers such as Aleve, Motrin, and Advil. The high levels of creatinine in the body that these drugs cause are the reason for the impaired kidney function. This explains why an article in USA Today says that over 350,000 people in US are on kidney dialysis. Kidney dialysis is a treatment used to filter the impurities from the blood that the kidneys and bladder can no longer handle. And USA has THE HIGHEST dialysis death rate IN THE WORLD.

Kidney stones are something that humans have been dealing with since the beginning of humanity, according to scientific studies. Would you believe that in 1901, kidney and bladder stones were found in the pelvis of a 7,000 year old egyptian mummy 4800 B.C.? Here are the stones scientists found:

With that said, know that kidney disease and kidney stones are absolutely diet-related. A diet consisting of high fat, fried foods, dairy products, red meat, carbonated drinks, sugar and/or drug overload, aspirin, overuse of prescription drugs, salt and chemical diuretics. All of these are a sure way of developing kidney disease.

Diabetes is usually involved. Deficiencies in the body of B-vitamins, magnesium, and essential fatty acids, are also found in those with kidney diseases. High levels of aluminum, heavy metal poisoning from cadmium (from smoking cigarettes) and lead, are usually found on kidney disease tests. Allergies and low thyroid, hypothyroidism, also play a role in kidney disease. Adrenal stress and an overuse of antacids contributes to kidney stones.

And what exactly are kidney stones? These form when minerals that normally float freely in fluid eliminated by the kidneys combine into crystals. If the body has too little fluid and inorganic material overloads the body, kidney stones will form. When a stone blocks the urinary tract, it then results in debilitating and excruciating pain.

Preventing kidney stones depends on balancing and strengthening the kidneys with the right foods and herbs (herbs, of course, are also considered foods for the body).

Dehydration is a key factor in kidney stone formation.  So DRINK WATER! At least 6-8oz. glasses daily or half of your body weight in ounces! And drink water during the day!  It is not recommended to drink water right before bed.  It is also not recommended to sleep with water in the bedroom. This energy, according to Chinese medicine, weighs on the body during sleep and can cause unrestful sleep and nightmares.

A diet that is mainly vegetarian, low in starch and protein is best to prevent kidney stones. Dark green vegetables and fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruits are foods that alkaline the body and help prevent stone formation.

Eliminate the following: fried foods, salty and sugary foods, caffeine foods, and carbonated beverages which impede the kidney from filtering waste. Avoid dairy foods, starches, fats and heavy grains since these cause clogging and mucous. Studies also show that TUMS, the antacid, increases the risk for stone formation.

At first, the body may not show any symptoms of kidney stones except for a dull ache in the lower back.  Yet, when the stone or stones become large enough to block the urinary tract, as I said before, the pain radiates through the body and becomes excruciating, debilitating, with constant urgency to urinate and extremely painful urination.  Other signs that the body specifically needs a kidney stone cleanse are:

• a distended abdomen
• women who have anemia or heavy menstrual bleeding
• vitamin K deficiency

When an infection has set in, there is nausea, vomiting, fever and chills.

Use the following for kidney flushing support, to normalize kidney activity, reduce kidney inflammation, and to cleanse and detoxify the kidneys:

• CHINESE NEGATIVE YIN PACK TCM

• URINARY SYSTEM PACK

To help the body break down, flush kidney stones, and prevent recurrence of stones, combine:

• CHINESE POSITIVE YANG PACK TCM
• HYDRANGEA

Use the above programs individually for minimum 6 months to stimulate optimum kidney function.

In the photo below, I am here with my patient, Juanita Harris, and her husband. Juanita was a new patient of mine of only 4 months at the time of this picture.  She came to me looking for help when she was diagnosed 5 months prior with impaired kidney function and a risk of needing dialysis.  That month, September 7, 2012, 4 months after beginning her natural therapy program with me, she arrived for her followup appointment with copies of her newest lab results and was told by her allopathic conventional doctor that her kidneys were functioning beautifully again and no longer needed to see him!  Truly a blessing!

Longevity, Youth, & Health. A Natural Approach.

Listening and Reflecting (Photo credit: cobalt123)

 

 

Newly updated March 8, 2016.

Do you believe a form of medicine that is well over 5,000 years old could have some glimpse into what our bodies need for longevity, youth, and good health?
Traditional Chinese Medicine has much to teach us about maintaining good health in general. Because of their many years of proven results, this is why I became fascinated with it and made it a point to use (TCM) Traditional Chinese Medicine also in my practice. Why, do you ask, do we need to use Traditional Chinese Medicine when modern, scientific, allopathic medicine is available to us? The reason is that diseases and ailments that cannot be cured by Western medicine can be with Traditional Chinese Medicine successfully.

In this article I focus on achieving feelings of youth, health and longevity naturally. There are many common factors you have probably heard of that cause one to feel old, aged and unhealthy. Yet, Chinese Medicine has found the most important cause; Immune Deficiency. What does this mean? Simply put, it means that people have become so weak that they get sick easily and frequently. The Chinese Academy of Medical Science has pointed out from recent research that among 25 people over 60, and 20 people between 20 and 30 years old, the ratio of T cells (cells that are thymus gland-dependent and determine our immune function) in the group of those over 60 years old was lower than in the group of people between 20 and 30 years old. Fascinating!

This clearly shows the link between aging and immune deficiency! If our immune function is impaired, the survival of the body is in jeopardy. The immune function guards against any harmful infections so that the body can function normally without disease. If we are to live long AND healthy, we must slow down the aging process of our bodies. Yes. We know it is impossible to live forever. Yet, there is no question that we can slow down the aging process. If you wish to live a long life, (who is joining me to age 125?) you must understand the aging process to effectively slow it down.

Immune deficiency, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is associated with the condition of the Kidneys. The kidneys are known as “the clock of the body”. History points to many Chinese scholars and physicians who achieved longevity by eating kidney traditional Chinese herbs and tonics. In My Teaching to Posterity, a literary classic by a Chinese scholar named Yan Zhi-Tui in the 6th century, he said, “I have been in the habit of eating kidney tonics throughout my life, which is why I could still read fine print when 70 years old with no gray hair on my head.”. Even two Chinese emperors were famous for their longevity due to their firm beliefs in Traditional Chinese Medicine and to their regular practice of taking kidney tonics. ; Emperor Jia-Jing and Emperor Qian-Long.

Apart from a clear understanding of the need to focus on Kidney health for Immune health, bringing the right foods and nutrients into the body is a factor that also enhances longevity. Prescription for Acute Diseases, a Chinese medical book published in the 3rd century, said, “Good health is first and foremost to be found in foods (and Chinese medicine refers to herbs as food); anyone who does not know how to eat the right foods (remember, herbs are food) cannot stay in good health.” In short, when our immune function is deficient, our bodies will not be able to resist disease, if our bodies cannot resist disease, it cannot survive for long, since we live in environments full of potential toxins and enemies. To live long, it is necessary to make weak people stronger so that they don’t become sick so often, which is the first and essential step to be taken in the pursuit of Longevity, Youth, and Health.

Again, anyone joining me to 125 years of age? Looking young, of course, goes hand in hand with all of this. Premature wrinkles, sagging skin, dry skin, oily skin, things that not only women, but also men are concerned about, are very much symptoms that show immediately when the body is not nourished properly. With body balancing nutrient Chinese herbs, these symptoms show improvement dramatically quickly. And Ladies, if at age 41 you are still being asked to show your ID – identification for any given reason  (wink-wink, how I love getting asked for identification) , and being mistaken for being in your 20’s, then you’re doing something right! Let’s keep it that way! The following three (3) TCM Traditional Chinese
Medicine supplements combined for longevity, anti-aging, disease prevention, and structural health which includes hair, skin and bones, are what I use personally, and what I have recommend to my adoring patients and clients for over 20 years:

CHINESE NEGATIVE PACK TCM

TRIGGER IMMUNE TCM Concentrate

KB-C TCM Concentrate

Enjoy life, and live long and healthy!